JN PEP Awardee Sets Sights on Becoming Pilot and Footballer

For programme manager Grace Jones, seeing her son, Jaquan Antonio Broomfield, named the 2026 JN Foundation PEP scholarship awardee for Kingston is more than a celebration of his academic achievement. It is a reminder that, despite life’s challenges, hard work can lead to better opportunities and a brighter future.

Reflecting on her own upbringing, Ms Jones recalled that, while she was raised by both her mother and father, her family still faced challenges, particularly when it came to meeting some of the expenses associated with her schooling. Against that background, seeing her son’s hard work earn him a place at his first-choice school, Campion College, along with a JN Foundation scholarship, was an emotional moment for her.

Ms Jones said the financial assistance is particularly meaningful as Jaquan transitions to high school, with the scholarship helping to ease some of the costs associated with his education.

“Being able to get this scholarship is really helpful because it takes some of the burden off us,” she explained.

Ms Jones said Jaquan’s achievement is also a reflection of the effort he has consistently put into his education.

“He did extremely well in primary school. From grade two, he’s always been the top person in his class. He was the top boy in primary school overall,” Ms Jones shared. “I was extremely proud of him with his PEP results, and it brought me to tears. I know he had the potential,” she said.

Now an alumnus of Alpha Primary, Jaquan was equally excited about his achievements. He is particularly happy to know that the scholarship has given his mother greater peace of mind as he begins this next chapter of his education.

“I was jumping for joy and very happy to know that instead of having all the burden of school fees and supplies, this scholarship will make things a little easier for her,” he said.

An older brother to a two-year-old sister, Jaquan has long been a high achiever, and he believes much of his academic success comes naturally to him.

“Personally, I feel that I am just naturally talented,” he said, explaining that while he puts effort into his studies, he has never felt the need to study as hard or for as long as some of his peers to achieve good results.

His ambitions, however, extend well beyond the classroom. From an early age, aviation captured his imagination, with becoming a pilot emerging as one of his earliest career aspirations.

More recently, football has joined that list of ambitions. The young scholar has developed a growing passion for the sport and is now considering a future as a professional footballer.

“I always wanted to be a pilot. I like seeing aircraft flying through the air, how fast they go, and the idea of being up there, looking down and seeing cars and other things appearing smaller below. But recently, I’ve also started thinking about being a footballer because I really like playing the game,” he said.

Jaquan hopes to join his school’s football team and further develop his skills on the field. In the meantime, he has already joined the track team, giving him an opportunity to stay active while exploring his growing interest in sports.

For the young scholar, having a positive high school experience is his priority now. He plans to stay out of trouble, remain disciplined and find a healthy balance between his personality, social life and responsibilities as a student. He is also encouraging other students to take their education seriously and remain committed to their goals.

“My advice to other students is to work hard, stay disciplined and believe in yourself. Take your education seriously because it really pays off. Even when things get difficult, keep pushing, stay focused and don’t give up,” he said.

For Ms Jones, her son’s combination of interests is a sign that he is not afraid to dream big. Although she encourages him to pursue his dreams, she is equally focused on ensuring that he has the educational foundation to secure his future, even if his ambitions change along the way.

She hopes that, as he grows, he will take advantage of every opportunity available to him, whether in the classroom, on the football field or, one day, in the cockpit of an aircraft. Ultimately, Ms Jones wants him to pursue a career he is truly passionate about while remaining focused, disciplined and committed to becoming not only successful, but also a responsible and well-rounded individual who understands the importance of giving back and making a positive difference.

Jaquan is one of 37 students awarded JN Foundation scholarships this year. He joins hundreds of young Jamaicans whose secondary education journeys have been supported through the JN Foundation’s scholarship programme since 1983.